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With only hours remaining until the second day of the 2017 NFL Draft begins, there are rumors about who the Philadelphia Eagles might take at No. 43. The Eagles are reportedly a “team to watch” when it comes to controversial running back prospect Joe Mixon. This information comes from the Boston Herald’s Jeff Howe, who was really on top of breaking picks during the first round last night.
This is hardly the first time we’ve heard Mixon connected to the Eagles. It was previously reported the Eagles are one of a few teams with ownership permission to draft the Oklahoma rusher. In addition, it’s believed the Eagles are one of the most interested teams in Mixon.
The Eagles’ public comments have done nothing to dissuade the perception that they’re OK with taking Mixon. As I’ve said all along, they easily could have taken a hard stance against him if they wanted to. A few other NFL teams have already done that.
Philadelphia badly needs a running back so it’s really not hard to believe the team would have interest in him from a football perspective. He’d be a great fit for the Eagles’ scheme. Some believe he’s the best running back in this year’s draft based on talent alone.
Of course, the decision can’t simply come down to talent when it comes to Mixon. His off-field actions, namely the time he punched a young woman in the face, will factor in to a team’s decision to take him or not.
It’s entirely possible the Eagles’ interest in Mixon is legitimate. It’s also possible they want other teams to think they want Mixon in order to disguise their real second round target.
There’s really no guarantee Mixon makes it to the Eagles at No. 43. There’s been speculation he’ll go in the early second round to one of the teams picking ahead of the Eagles, such as the Bengals.
Mixon or not, the Eagles could easily be picking a running back today on Day 2. It’s a big position of need and there are still some talented players on the board, such as Florida State’s Dalvin Cook.